Latest News
Zeke Stokes Named Director of External Engagement
For immediate release:
Monday, May 6, 2013
Contact: Erica Reardon at
202-621-5414 or erica@outserve-sldn.org
Zeke Stokes Named OutServe-SLDN’s Director of External Engagement
Announcement of New Position Is Latest Step in Reorganization of LGBT Military Association
(WASHINGTON, DC) Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson announced today that Zeke Stokes has been named the organization’s new Director of External Engagement and in that role will lead the LGBT military association’s fundraising and communications efforts. In addition to the responsibilities he has held as Communications Director since 2011, Stokes takes over the duties currently held Development Director David Hall, who announced his departure several weeks ago following more than seven years of service.
“This new position fits Zeke’s previous experience perfectly. Before joining our team, Zeke managed his own consulting firm with a concentration on communications and fundraising for political, nonprofit, governmental and corporate clients. Our members and supporters are already well acquainted with his superb communications acumen, and now he will put his fundraising and development expertise to work as OutServe-SLDN focuses on providing services and resources our LGBT members and their families need to thrive in today’s military,” said Robinson.
Stokes begins the position just a week following the arrival of retired Army Colonel Gary Espinas, who is OutServe-SLDN’s first Director of Chapter and Member Services. In March, Robinson - who took the reigns of the newly merged organization in October 2012 - set a goal of reaching 14,000 actively serving members of OutServe-SLDN by the end of 2014 and is taking steps to ensure the infrastructure of the organization is well-suited to achieve that objective.
“As we bid farewell to David Hall in the role of Development Director in the coming weeks, we thank him once again for his extraordinary service to this organization and to our nation. We couldn’t have reached this point without him. I am confident Zeke’s experience is exactly what we need to build upon his efforts and create and execute a plan to sustain and grow OutServe-SLDN well into the future,” said Robinson.
About OutServe-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6500 members around the world It works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
